EGBA says Norway can do better by adopting multi-license model

• Norway is among the last countries in Europe to not have moved past its gambling state monopoly
• EGBA has urged the country to reconsider, citing a report by H2 that half of all players are already playing at international sites
• The association argues that only the regulated market could establish proper oversight and regulation

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has published a new in-depth breakdown on its website of the gambling market in Norway.

EGBA has, once again, urged the country to consider breaking away with its monopoly and follow in the example of other Nordic and European countries, which have decided to adopt a multi-license structure, seeing it as a far better option for consumer protection and driving steady revenue.

This is not just a mere recommendation, cautions the association, but rather advice based on the facts. H2 Gambling Capital, a research firm, claims that half of all Norwegian players are already using international players, or in other words – playing with websites that are not bound by local jurisdiction and laws, and are not paying tax back to the state.

The Norsk Tipping state-owned monopoly is simply not an efficient way to run the gambling industry, EGBA argues, citing these findings and pointing out that since 2009, all but Norway and Lichtenstein have introduced a license-based model. EGBA had this to say:

"Multi-licensing is the better alternative to the current monopoly system, offering a pragmatic solution by acknowledging that many Norwegians seek alternatives to Norsk Tipping and already gamble on international sites. It’s not about expanding gambling, but rather establishing proper oversight for the gambling that Norwegians are already engaging in."

Denmark and Sweden, relative laggards, have endorsed this model and have reaped the benefits thereof, although Sweden is admittedly under pressure to ensure that it reaches a strong channelization rate.

Better oversight of the gambling market necessary

Meanwhile, Finland has been engaged in re-regulating its own market, ensuring that it will also switch away from the Veikkaus monopoly to a multi-license model. This has resulted in job losses for the land-based sector, but ultimately, industry types argue that the move would be for the better.

However, Norway has not even started such a process, with EGBA warning that it could be the last country in Europe to not actually regulate its gambling industry and break away with the monopoly model, which has been replaced in favor of the more resilient licensee-based model.

Norway has made several moves in the direction of limiting the clout of illegal operators, including exploring DNS bans to ensure that rogue operators are not allowed to target its citizens.

However, even regulated markets are still fighting back the scourge that is the black market, and the best way forward would be for Norway to regulate its gambling industry, the association concludes the association.

Image credit: Unsplash.com